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New Orleans Hornets Coach Monty Williams plans to continue pushing Eric Gordon hard to become a better player

Andrew Bogut, Eric Gordon

Golden State Warriors center Andrew Bogut (12), from Australia, blocks a shot by New Orleans Hornets guard Eric Gordon (10) during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game in Oakland, Calif., Wednesday, April 3, 2013. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

But Williams said he's not going to stop
pushing Gordon to improve his overall play, especially during the final
five games of the season. Against the Jazz, Williams did not put
Gordon back into game after they apparently got into shouting match. Williams was visibly agitated, yelling
in Gordon’s direction when he apparently didn’t think Gordon was
hustling enough. Assistant coach Randy Ayers stepped in front of Williams to calm him, after Gordon hollered back at him.

"He’s a dynamic guard, that’s why I push him,’’ said Williams, who plans
to start Gordon for the second consecutive game since the incident when the Hornets play the Lakers at the Staples Center on Tuedsay night. "I’m not
going to allow him to settle for where he is in his career right now.
He’s got to get better. If he gets better, he should be an All-Star
someday.’’

Gordon admitted the conflict was a heat of the moment situation that shouldn't be blown out of proportion.

"It
got very heated in the moment, but I’m not letting none of that get to
me,’’ Gordon said. "I’m just out here, still trying to play.’’

Gordon said he just wants to help the Hornets win and he’s looking
forward to next season when he expects to be fully recovered from his knee
problems that's limited him the past two seasons.

Gordon, who is
the Hornets' leading scorer with a 16.5 average, missed the first 29
games this season because of a patella tendon disorder and bone bruise
in his right knee. It's the same knee that forced Gordon to miss all but
nine games last season after undergoing arthroscopic surgery.

"I'm definitely showing
flashes,'' Gordon said. "I've shown flashes where I can play with the best of them. It's just
all about getting my rhythm back - playing. That's why next year is going to
be great for me.''

Gordon has had been productive during the opening half of games,
but has struggled to maintain his rhythm after halftime. In Sunday’s
95-92 victory against the Suns, Gordon was
aggressive attacking off the dribble, which led to 17 points. He made
seven-of-eight free throws.

Gordon's
most impressive play came in the second quarter when he led the Hornets
on a 16-9 run, scoring eight points during the stretch.

"I've
been trying to get to the line a lot and these past few games I have
been getting there a lot,'' Gordon said. "That's the thing that I've
been working on, getting back to the rhythm of getting back to the free
throw line and trying to make a difference there.''